PHOENIX — Two groups of Valley high school and middle school students are set to compete Saturday in a virtual science bowl against other schools across the country.

BASIS high school in Chandler and BASIS middle school in Peoria both won their regional competition for the finals of the Department of Energy National Science Bowl and were originally slated to compete in Washington, D.C., in June before the coronavirus pandemic hit the Untied States.

A total of 41 middle schools and 61 high schools took part in the regional events leading up to the championship round. The field was narrowed down to 32 in each division for the finals.

“I am excited and proud to announce the first-ever virtual National Science Bowl Finals,” DOE’s Office of Science Director, Chris Fall, said in a release.

“This challenging and competitive event calls on the most practiced and brightest students to showcase their skills in an array of areas. We will call on these students in future years to be the innovators and leaders that drive science.”

The top two teams from each division will receive $2,500 to take back to their schools to support their science departments.

The top four teams will receive $2,000, the top eight will receive $1,500 and the top 16 teams will take home $1,000 for their schools’ science departments, the release said.

Over the NSB’s 29-year history, more than 300,000 students have put their scientific knowledge to the test at regional and national competitions.

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